Daniel’s home was his sleeping bag.

In June, a 31 year-old man named Daniel wandered into the Friendship House looking for help.  Originally from Wisconsin, Daniel had been homeless for the past nine years.  He had spent the last two traveling around the Midwest, hoping to find a place to call home.  He had one friend left – someone in Red Wing, and this was Daniel’s last chance at a “normal” life.  He had arrived the day before and spent the night on his friend’s living room floor – his first night indoors in over two months.

Daniel grew up in an extremely violent home.  His father was an alcoholic who physically and sexually abused both Daniel and his two sisters.  When Daniel was 16, his mother kicked him out of the house for “standing up for himself.”  Both Daniel’s parents suffered from persistent mental health issues.  Mental illness is often genetic, and Daniel was not an exception.  Daniel suffers from schizophrenia, paranoid delusions, and psychoses.   On bad days, he fantasizes about taking his own life, and on good days he consumes himself by reading books to escape from the life he is living. 

The day Daniel first entered the Friendship House he was having a “bad day.”  Just like most of the clients we see, Daniel didn’t really know what to ask for – he just wanted someone to listen to his story. 

JoAnn, our Housing Support Services program director, talked with him for three hours.  Daniel opened up and spoke to JoAnn about the abuse in his past, his family, his wanderings, his mental health issues – and his loss of hope. 

Over the past nine months JoAnn has spent many hours with Daniel.  With JoAnn’s support and encouragement Daniel has been able to create a new life for himself in our community.  With assistance from HOPE Coalition, Daniel has begun counseling, obtained medication for his mental illness, and has leased a one-bedroom apartment.  He has been in his new home for over three months – the longest period of time he’s had the same roof over his head for the past nine years.  Daniel has also joined a local church, which has given him considerable strength and hope on his “bad” days.  He has found a circle of people to support him, and now has mostly “good” days.

JoAnn continues to see Daniel – not because he is in crisis, but because she is part of his circle of support.  He stops in 2-3 times per week to update JoAnn on his progress, and is greeted with a smiling face and compassionate eyes.  Because of HOPE Coalition, for the first time in his life Daniel is healthy, safe…and happy.  And for the first time in nine years, Daniel has an apartment to call home, not just a sleeping bag. 

There are many stories like Daniel’s.  For every Daniel we help, there are 10 more living in our community, too scared or ashamed to seek help.